The LA Sparks pulled off an insane comeback Friday, roaring back from a 17-point deficit to snatch an 88-82 win over the Washington Mystics. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement, showing pure grit as the Sparks dominated the second half to turn the tide in their favor.
The Second-Half Avalanche That Buried Washington
What a turnaround, seriously. After being down by 17, the Sparks flipped a switch in the second half, outscoring Washington by a massive 48-31. The fourth quarter? A straight-up clinic, with the Sparks putting up 23 points to the Mystics’ 14. Rae Burrell was the absolute hero, dropping 12 of her 15 points in that final frame. Talk about clutch! But it wasn’t just Burrell’s heroics. The Sparks capitalized big time on Washington’s mistakes, turning 17 Mystics turnovers into a whopping 31 points. They were also dishing the rock like crazy, racking up 28 assists on 36 field goals, and absolutely owning the paint with a 50-34 advantage. That’s how you win when the chips are down, you crush ’em inside and make them pay for every mistake.
Early Jitters and Nneka’s Fight to Stay Alive
The game didn’t start with all that comeback magic, though. Burrell actually got things going with two quick dimes, setting up back-to-back layups for an early four-point Sparks lead. Dearica Hamby and Nneka Ogwumike combined for eight points early on. But Washington wasn’t backing down, with Sonia Citron pouring in their first five points and Shakira Austin adding five of her own to help them tie the game after being down six. The first quarter was a battle, ending in a tie, even with the Mystics shooting 66% from the field to LA’s 64%. Nneka was already cooking, with eight points by the end of the first.
The second quarter saw Washington really take control. Shakira Austin started with a layup, and Kiki Iriafen dropped seven points to build the Mystics’ lead. They were up by seven with under five minutes left, and the lead swelled to double digits as the Sparks’ offense went cold, managing only nine points in the whole quarter, shooting a brutal 2-9 from the field. Nneka Ogwumike, ever the warrior, hit a triple and was in double figures with 13 points, trying to keep her team afloat. Even then, the Sparks showed a tiny spark of life, closing the half on an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 11 at halftime. Nneka then started the third with a personal 4-0 run, showing she was ready for a fight. Monique Akoa Makani also got hot, scoring five points to hit ten total, and the Sparks made it a one-point game, outscoring Washington 16-6 midway through the third. They even had a five-point run after Lauren Betts converted a three-point play. Washington, led by Erica Wheeler’s first three and Georgia Amoore’s two triples, managed to cling to a three-point lead going into the final frame. But man, the Mystics had no idea what was coming.
This kind of gritty, never-say-die win? That’s the stuff that builds momentum, that tells you a team isn’t going to roll over for anyone. You gotta love seeing a team fight back like that, especially with a performance from Burrell that absolutely changed the game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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